Friday, July 14, 2017

Before sunrise on an October morning in Laurel two Prince
George’s County Firefighter/Medics were driving separately on their way to
work.They had no idea what they were
about to witness in addition to quick thinking and actions would help to save a young mans life.The very man they helped that morning visited the Laurel Fire/EMS Station this afternoon to thank them and others firefighters that responded to help.

Firefighter/Medics Damion R. Duncan and Michael R. Dugan
were travelling in the area of Route 198 and Interstate 95 in Laurel.Duncan on his way to Laurel Fire/EMS Station
810 and Duncan on his way to Laurel Fire/EMS Station 849 when they witnessed a
vehicle, for whatever reason, cross the median strip on Route 198, go airborne, leave the roadway and broadsiding a large tree.Both firefighters stopped to provide
assistance with Dugan alerting 911 of the incident with an occupant trapped
with life threatening injuries.Both
firefighters worked to keep the victims airway open and treat his injuries
until assistance arrived.Both
firefighters knew that time was of the essence if this young man was going to
survive.

With the morning darkness and lack of other vehicles on the road it is quite possible that if this crash
was not witnessed by the two firefighters it may have gone unnoticed due to its
out-of-sight location off the roadway.

Additional firefighters and medics arrived from the nearby
stations and initiated extricating the adult male and arranging transportation by helicopter
to a Trauma Center.The victim, 23 years-of-age, a West Laurel resident and graduate of Laurel High School, was suffering from a head trauma and bi-lateral fractures of his femurs
in addition to other multiple injuries.

As is the case with the majority of patients the treatment and transport would be
the last contact personnel would have.However, Juan Morales was determined to
survive and once released from months in the hospital and rehab, he wanted to
meet and thank his rescuers. Morales reviewed the police report of his
crash and located the names and phone numbers of the firefighters. They were listed on the report as they had witnessed
the crash.Still recovering with
mobility and speech he asked his girlfriend to contact the firefighters and
arrange a visit.

Morales accompanied by his girlfriend, mother and other
relatives visited the Laurel Fire/EMS Station 810 this Friday afternoon, July 14, to meet the
firefighters.They brought along a
plaque and lunch for the entire crew.On the appreciation plaque presented to firefighters Morales referred to them as, "The Angels in My Path."

Morales still uses a wheelchair and attends physical, occupational and
speech therapy.He spoke in a low and
raspy voice thanking the firefighters for everything they did that morning and
how much he appreciated their help.He
greeted each firefighter that was able to attend today's informal meet and greet
and asked questions about that morning.He
does not remember any events of that morning and asked Duncan and Dugan details
about what had occurred.Each
firefighter discussed details of the crash that Morales had never heard before.

It is well known in the arena of public safety that awards
are nice but there is nothing better than to meet a former patient that you
never thought you would ever see again.That is the best award to receive.

This is a list of personnel on the incident:

Incident Commander

Laurel Volunteer
Rescue Assistant Chief Stefan Livingston

Rescue
Squad 849

William Porter

Frank Nicholson

Zachary Proffen

MatthewVon den Steinen

Tonaio Swangin

Michael
Dugan - off-duty on scene

Engine 810

Sean Roth

Paul DeMennato, Volunteer Fire Technician

Sean Losgar

Phillip Coleman

Damion Duncan - off-duty on scene

Engine 841

Danon Ushinski

Clayton Deskins

James Redman

Medic 810

Nathan Bowie

Brian Brady

NEMSDO

Akintunde Ola

The vehicle Morales was driving

Fire Fighter/Medic MatthewVon den Steinen was on the Squad that extricated Morales from the car.

A young man with critical injuries that was trapped in in his car that wrapped around a tree will stop by and thank firefighters and medics for everything they did. In October 2016 firefighters and medics worked feverishly to free the trapped crash victim, treat and transport him to a Trauma Center for his critical injuries. He called the personnel at the Laurel Fire/EMS Station and asked if he could have the opportunity to meet them.

It is rare for firefighters and medics to be able to meet with a former patient. It is often at the request of the patient that this occurs and it is one of the greatest rewards or awards personnel could ever receive. To be able to shake a hand, get a hug and look that patient through the eyes of joy rather than the first time you had an encounter.

Today, Friday, July 14, at 1:00 pm this young man, former patient and crash victim, will have the opportunity he wished and hoped for. To meet and greet as many of the crew members as possible from that day. The Fire/EMS Station is located at 7411 Cherry Lane in Laurel.

Media is welcome to attend.

The following images were captured by PGFD personnel after the young man was extricated.

LODD April 15, 2016

Fire Fighter/Medic Lieutenant John "Skillet" Ulmschneider

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Tragically firefighters will find pets that have been injured in home fires. Sometimes owners are not availiable to bring their pet to a emergency vet or may not have the resources to afford medical care. The Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department and the Anne Arundel County SPCA have teamed up and created a fund whereas medical care for the pet would be covered in part or in full.
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